New Egypt Speedway Notebook 4/11

New Egypt Speedway Notebook 4/11 – By: Pete MacDonald

28 358 Modifieds, 20 Sportsman, and 18 NERS 305 Sprint Cars entered the evening’s activities.

There was finally some spring-like weather with temperatures approaching the mid 60s.

2014 NEMA Lite Champion Ryan Krachun was set to make his 358 Modified debut but ran into radiator problems during hot laps and parked the car for the night not wanting to risk hurting the motor.

Ryan Godown has something figured out, Godown said he figured it out during the satellite races at Super DIRT Week last year but didn’t want to experiment with it during the season at NES while wrapped up in a points chase. He started eighteenth and had the lead by lap eleven. That 747 is fast and the rest of the field has some work to do to catch him.

Defending Sportsman Champion Johnny Cornell had motor issues in his car during his heat race and his 87 was parked for the night.

Jimmy Horton was running second late in the feature until a coil wire fell off causing him to watch the remainder of the race from the infield.

305 Sprint Car Standout Jeff Geiges had  a brake line blow out while running third under caution causing him to have to pull off.

I continue to be blown away by Billy Osmun III, He finished seventh against the more powerful open sportsman cars with a crate motor. Osmun ran slingshots prior moving up to rookie sportsman for 2015.

After breaking on opening night Richie Pratt Jr. rebounded well coming home third which I believe is his best ever NES Modified finish.

Sammy Piazza has some speed in his SP Landscaping Inc #29 this year at NES and has started the season off with two Top-5 finishes.

Only 17 NERS 305 Sprint Cars entered the evenings program, some drivers indicate that it had to do with IMCA taking over the RaceSaver Sanction during the winter.

Danny Bouc continues to have a rough season, he tangled with Rocco Infante mid race on Saturday night knocking the right-front shock tower off his 32.

The surface was in better shape this week but there’s still a soft spot in between turns 1-2, it was better than it was on opening night.

NES is back in action this Saturday with 358 Modifieds, Crate Modifieds, Street Stocks, NEWS Sprint Cars and Rookie Sportsman. Gates open at 4:00 p.m., with hot laps starting at 5:15 p.m., and the first race starting at 6:00 p.m.

For questions, comments or concerns I can be emailed at info@racersguide.com or I’m on Twitter @PMacDonald51 Thanks!